Blood clot risk greater in men

The latest research from Canada and Australia has determined that men have a 50% greater risk of suffering a recurrent deep-vein thrombosis (DVT) or pulmonary embolism compared to women.

A DVT is a blood clot that forms in the deep veins of the leg. A pulmonary embolism occurs when a clot forms, detaches from the vessel, travels to the lungs and lodges in the pulmonary arteries. If the clot is large enough, it can completely block that artery and cause death.

The research looked at 15 previous studies involving 5,416 people, all who had recently experienced a blood clot. After preventative blood-thinning medication was stopped, 816 individuals redeveloped a blood clot. Of these, 523 were male.

The average patient with a deep vein thrombosis has a 10% risk of clot recurrence in the first year after stopping treatment; after five years, it is about 25%. This study found the risk in men for a recurring clot within one year was16%, compared to 6% for women.

Further research is needed to understand what caused this difference.

Remember:  A DVT is a blood clot that forms in the veins of the leg. Complications include pulmonary embolism (which can be fatal), phlebitis and leg ulcers.

Source: The Lancet, July 2006;
http://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140673606691101/abstract